Program Violations Found at Dickinson State UniversityPosted on 2/10/2012

DICKINSON, N.D. - Dickinson State University has been "seriously lacking controls and oversight" in administration of certain international programs, according to the internal articulation agreement audit and review report released today during a press conference at the Badlands Activities Center.

Six State Board of Higher Education and North Dakota University System policy and procedure violations were cited in the audit. The report stated: "Several process level controls have been waived or controls that were once in place have been intentionally overridden or ignored, threatening the overall compliance of the program."

Some of the most serious violations noted in the report include: students not meeting minimum admission requirements; absence of official documents, including transcripts; lack of English proficiency; non-verification of student completion of general education courses; and degrees awarded without sufficient credits.

The audit shows that a total of 816 files of students in the special international programs were examined. The review found 743 of these in question as follows: 120 students currently enrolled, 39 have finished coursework and are currently awaiting certificates or degrees, and 584 who have already received a certificate or degree.

The report suggests solutions which include: stopping or discontinuing the programs, suspending degree awards for current program students until all documentation is obtained, putting into place processes and controls to ensure against policy and procedure violations, terminating all agreements with foreign student agents or recruiters, accepting only official-sealed transcripts and insisting upon English proficiency and verification.

DSU will be working with the North Dakota University System, the State Board of Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission and the Department of Education to ensure compliance with all regulations, policies and procedures.